Domestic violence is a priority issue

It’s about time that the whole Philippines follow the model developed by Lihok Pilipina Foundation and the Cebu City government. In Cebu, men who beat their wives or abuse their children do serious jail time. Unlike in other parts of the country, cases of wife-beating, incest, child abuse and marital rape are not ignored. Although Republic Act No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004) has been implemented since March 8 2004, Cebu City is the first city in the country to pass specific ordinances penalizing domestic abuses. Domestic violence aside from poverty is a priority issue that needs to be resolved.